Mine anchor and controller.



P. L. E. DEL F. GIERA & G. MILLER.

MINE ANCHOR AND CONTROLLER. APPLICATION nuzo OCT. 27. 1915. RENEWED Dec. 6. 1.916.

48, Patented J an. 9, 1917.

- 1 STATES PATENT orrion.

mirror-n. ii. men moo crnna AND eonnon MILLER, or new YORK, 11. Y.-

mnn ancn'on am) conrnonnnn Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 9, 1917.

Application filed, October 27, 1915, Serial No. 58387. I Benewed December 6, 1916. Serial No. 185,487.

Yorl: and State of New has, of which the following is a specifica-- tion.

' This invention relates to means for anchoring mines and controlling the same from the shore or a distant point, the primary object of the invention being toprovide anchoring and controlling means by which a mine may be normally held in an absolutely safe and stationary position at the bottom of the body of water until such time as it is desired to dispose it at any desired depth in or under the water for active service, thus normally maintaining the mine in a dormant and harmless position and eliminating the risk of accidental explosions.

A further object of the invention is to provide an anchor, including a holding and gui frame for the mine, by means of which the mine may he held in a fixed position when desired, together with means for allowing the mine to rise or for drawing it down to any desired position with relation to the surface'of the water, so that whenever desired the mine maybe released for action and properly ositioned, while at all times the mine may lie stabilized and maintained in-a desired and determined position, thus preventin'g the of the mine from its intended point under the pressure of strong currents in the water.

' With these and other objects in view, the invention consistsin the features of constructionand combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described,

reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in whic Figure 1 is a sectional elevational-view of a mine held anchored by an anchoring and controlling means constructed in accordance with our invention; Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same; Fig. 3 is a vertical section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1; t is residing at New York, in

' to the surface of the water, and which is .or entrance to the open-work holder or conditions 0 a longitudinal section through the winding Fig. 4.

Referring to the drawing, 1 designates a mine of the type to be employed, which is of suflicient buoyancy to rise, when released,

provided at its lower end with an eye 2 for the attachment'of one end of a controlling cable 3. The cable 3 is connected with controlling mechanism of a type hereinafter described carried by an anchor, comprising a weighted base 4 supporting an upright cage, holder or guide frame 5, shown in the present instance as consisting of a plurality of beams or bars 6 secured at their lower ends to the anchor base 4 and reinforced at a suitable point between their center and upper ends by a bracing band 7. The beams and ban form an open-Work holder or rec'eptacle to anchor the mine when disposed therein in a fixed position, and the frame also serves as a means for guiding the mine in its upward or downward movements to properly stabilize it and avoid irregularities of movement liable to produce accidental explosion thereof. The upper ends of the beams or bars 6 are bent or curved outwardly at an angle in divergent relationship, as shown at 8, to form a flaring moith to acilitate the entrance and release of the mine, as will be readily understood. The base 4 is of proper weight to stably support the holder frame and mine when the latter is anchored, and the holderframe may be of any desired hei ht to meet any requirements service.

The cable '3 extends downwardly through a guide funnel or tube 9 and stuiiing box 10 into awater-tight casing, chamber or recess 12 in'the anchor base 4, which forms a housing for the parts of the controlling mechanism contained therein. Within this casing is journaled a winding drum 13 with which the cable 3 is connected, and said drum is provided at its ends with gears 14 and 15 meshing with worms 16 and 17 on the armature shafts of a pair of electric motors 18 and 19, which are adapted to be driven to revolve the drum in opposite directions. The motors 18 and 19 are supported upon a base plate 20 which may form a closure for the bottom ofthe casing 11 and which is also fastened to the under side of the base so as to close the chamber 12 in a water-tight manner.

The poles of the motors are connected by conductors 21 and 22m suitable terminals within a fuse box 23, and to these terminals are attached conductors forming part of a cable 24 leading to a station on shore or at a distant point, indicated generally at 25, the conductors and cable being suitably insulated to prevent short circuiting or injury from the action of the water, and extending through water-tight passages in the base 4, so that any liability of derangement due to failure of the electrical current connections will be effectually avoided.

The gears let and 15, which are loosely mounted on the drum shaft 13', to which the drum spool 13 is fixed, have independent clutch connections with said shaft, the gear 14 being provided with a pivoted spring actuated dog 14 to engage a ratchet wheel 16 on the drum shaft, and the gear 15 being provided with a similarly pivoted spring actuated dog 15' engaging a ratchet wheel 16 on the drum shaft, the teeth of which ratchet wheels face in opposite directions. Hence, it will be apparent that when one gear is in action to communicate Winding motion to the shaft and drum through its clutch connection the other gear will turn loosely on the shaft, its pawl sliding over the face of its ratchet Wheel, while when the latter named gear is turned to rotate the shaft and drum for an' unwinding action the first named gear will turn idly in a similar manner, so that through the operation of the sets of motors and gearing the drum may be turned in either direction at will to any extent desired. It will accordingly be understood that when one motor is energized it will turn the drum in one direction to unwind the cable, while when the other motor is energized it will turn the drum in the opposite direction to wind up the cable, so that the cable may be controlled with positiveness and certainty from the distant station to permit the mine to rise from the anchor cage or holder upward to any desired position with relation to the surface of the Water, and to be drawn downward to vary its depth of submergence or withdraw it into the cage whenever the necessity for so doing arises. The mine may thus be held anchored at the bottom of the water in an erect position and against movement in any direction, thus eliminating all liability of its displacement or of accidental explosion, while it may be released and allowed to float upwardly by letting out the cable in such a way as to dispose it at any level for use. Thus the mine may be stably anchored in a safe manner against any possibility' of shifting its position, even under the pressure of strong currents, so that may lie absolutely dormant, harmless and safe until its use is desired, when it may be allowed to float upward to a desired position for service, in which position it will be maintained by the controlling cable.

The conductors forming the cable 24' are arranged in a suitable electric circuit having any desired source of energy, and in this circuit is also arranged a switchboard 26 having series of contacts extending in opposite directions from a neutral position and adapted to be engagedby a switch member 27, whereby the supply of current to the respective motors may be independently controlled to effect the winding or unwinding of the cable. In said circuit is also arranged an indicator or recorder 28 including a dial and an indicating hand, and which may be influenced by a suitable make-and-break device associated with the shaft 13' and one of its bearings, as at 28, whereby the working number of revolutions of each motor may be ascertained when the winding mechanism is set into motion to indicate the amount of cable let out or taken up from the drum, by means of which the position of the mine with relation to the anchor and surface of the Water may at all times be conveniently and accurately determined.

We are aware of the fact that it has heretofore been proposed to employ an anchor cable and winding means including a motor, mounted within the mine head or upon an anchor base, for winding up the cable to submerge the mine and letting out the cable to allow the mine to rise to the surface. Winding devices of this character depend for their unwinding operation upon the buoyancy of the mine, and are objectionable for many reasons, among them the impossibility of controlling the mine in its ascent, particularly when the mine is subjected to the pressure of swift currents of water, whereby the mine is apt to be carried beyond an intended position by an excessive unwinding motion. Owing to the lack of steadiness in the unwinding action, a premature explosion is liable to occur, particularly when the motor is arranged Within the mine head and is subjected to sharp pulling or tugging strains. In the arrangement of the motor within the casing, leakage is also liable to occur, and valuable ammunition space is consumed. We are also aware that it has heretofore been suggested to employ a wind ing mechanism including a reversible motor for the Winding and unwinding operations,

' 1 of such motors, and, second, because of the fact that injury to or defective operation of any part of the'motor renders it impossible to either raise or lower the mine. We overcome these difiiculties and objections by providing separate and independent motors, which are separately and independently controlled, but act upon one and the same winding shaft for respectively winding and unwinding the anchor cable, by means of which, and through the fact that neither motor opposes a resistance to the motion of the shaft by the action of the other motor, the mine may still-be controlled in the event of the derangement of the unwinding motor, while the uncertainties of action of reversible motors are avoided. Furthermore, in the operation of unwinding the anchor line to permit the mine to rise to the surface, through the action of the unwinding motor, the winding motor may be employed as a brake to check or regulate the speed of unwinding motion, so as to enable the, rising motion of the mine to be controlled even in very rough water and when the mine is subjected to the action of powerful currents.

While we have shown in the present instance, for purposes of exemplification, certain devices for carrying our invention into practice, it will, of course, be understood that changes and modifications may be made and equivalents employed within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof.

We claimas our invention:

1. In a mine anchoring and controlling means, the combination, with a mine, of an anchor comprising a weighted base, a winding shaft upon the base, a cable connecting the mine with the shaft, a pair of separate and independent electric motors sets of gearing operable by the respective motors for driving the winding shafts in opposite directions to wind up or let out the cable, reversely operable sets of clutch devices for rendering the respective sets of gears operative each for transmitting motion to the shaft in one direction only and for an idling action on the motion of the shaft in the opposite direction, and current supplying means for driving the respective motors.

, 2. In a mine anchoring and controlling means, the combination, with a mine, of an anchor comprising a weighted base, a winding shaft upon the base, a cable connecting "the mm with the shaft, a pair of separate and independent electric motors, sets of gearing operable by the respective motors for driving the wmding shaft in opposite directions to wind up or let out'the cable,

reversely operable sets of clutch devices for rendering the respective sets of gears operative each for transmitting motion to the shaft in one direction only and for an idling action on the motion of the shaft in the opposite direction, each set of clutch devices embodying clockwise and counter-clockwise acting pawl and ratchet elements, and cur rent supplying means for driving the respectlve motors.

. 3. In mine anchoring and controlling means, the combination, with a mine, of an anchor comprising a weighted base, a cable attached to the mlne, a-winding drum upon the base including a shaft and a sleeve fixed thereto and to which the cable is fastened, gears loosely mounted on said shaft and formlng the heads of the drum, said gears being provided with worm teeth, ratchet wheels fixed to the shaft and having teeth extending in'opposite directions, dogs carwheels with the shaft for the reverse rotationsof the shaft, motors having their shafts prov ded with worms meshing with the respectlve gears, and an electric circuit includ- 1ng means for separately and independently actuating said motors.

4'. In a mine anchoring and controlling means, the combination, with a mine, of an anchor comprising a weighted base, a wind lng shaft upon the base, a cable connecting the mine with the shaft, gears loosely mounted on said shaft, ratchet wheels fixed to the shaft and having teeth extending in opposlte directions, dogs carried by the gears and engageable with the ratchet wheels to independently connect the wheels with the shaft for reverse rotations of the shaft, electric motors having their shafts provided with gear elements meshing with.

the respective gears, and current supplying means for driving the respective motors.

5. In a mine anchoring and controlling means, the combination, with a mine, of an anchor including a weighted base havin a chamber therein, a windin shaft journa ed upon the base within said 0 amber,- a bottom plate closing said chamber, a cable connecting the mine with the winding shaft, gears loosely mounted on the winding shaft, ratchet wheels fixed to the shaft and having their teethfacing in opposite directions, electric motors supported by the bottom plate and having gear elements upon their shafts meshing wlth the aforesaid gears, pawls upon the gears engaging the teeth of the ratchet wheels, and current supplying connections between the drum and the re- In testimony whereof we affix our signaspective motors, each operative for transtures in presence of two witnesses. mitting motion to the drum in one direction PHILIP L E. DEL EUNGO GIERAQ and for an idling action in the turning of GORDON MILLER.

5 the drum in the opposite direction, and cur- Witnesses:

rent supplying means for driving the re- THos. B. MILLER,

spective motors. GEO. W. GEROD. 

